Fit Forever
There it was--clear as a sunny day: "Fit forever."
It was part of the label on a pair of khakis, but it called my heart away from britches to eternity.
We walk in time, but are children of eternity. Some say, “Church folks spend too much time thinking and singing about heaven, and too much talk about eternity.”
Maybe. But, if time is short and limited, and eternity is long and forever, we need to emphasize what is really important.
Getting "fit now" matters. True, Scripture says physical exercise won't save one's soul, but it can strengthen and make our bodies healthy. To get "fit forever" is something else altogether.
We have One who goes before us to show us the way, the truth, and the abundant life. We count on Jesus, because he is our continuing Pastor or best Friend and One who wants to make intercession for us. In other words, He wants to speak the Good Word for us.
Such steadfast love moves us to seek and to find it. It is like a serious race. In recent weeks some of our WellsFolk raced in a Marathon up North.
“I'm only running thirteen and a half miles,” she said, “just doing a half.” Do you run thirteen or twenty-six or any miles without preparation? Without training?
That's precisely why discipleship is an on-going training program. It requires regular workouts. Like: worship, study, fellowship, service time and more. It calls for continuing training because we have no on and off seasons of faith.
Some awards mean something for a while. Some mean something forever.
Those "fit forever" pants won't. They may fit for a while. Forever? No.
The "garments" of faith, hope, love and righteousness? Well, they fit forever. And they bring with them the guarantee of a crown of life, for now and for forever as well.
Always Love, Always
Keith
(October 25, 2009)
(For context, please read Hebrews 7:23-25; Psalms 89: 1-4; I Corinthians 9:24-25. A recording of this sermon is not available).